US Model of democracy

By Correspondent 

The United States of America has long presented itself as a model of democracy, both to its citizens and to the rest of the world. 

However, the reality is that the US is far from being a perfect democracy, and there are several reasons why it is not a model worthy of emulation by African countries. 

Firstly, the US has a long history of systemic racism and discrimination against minorities. Despite the contribution of Americans of African origin to US economic advancements, racial inequality persists in the country, and minorities continue to face social, economic, and political marginalization. This is evident in the high levels of police brutality against blacks and Asians, as well as in the disproportionate rates of poverty, incarceration, and voter suppression that affect minority communities. 

At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, blacks accounted for as high 39% of the recorded deaths despite being less than 15% of the population in the affected states. Police instigated gun violence against minority groups such as those witnessed during the gruesome murder of George Floyd, are also on the increase with 67 mass shootings already registered in the first two months of 2023 alone.  

This pattern of discrimination has effectively suppressed the voice of minorities and limiting their participation in the democratic process.

When groups are excluded from the democratic process, they are denied a fair say in the decisions that affect their lives and communities. This undermines the legitimacy of the US democratic system and weakens its ability to serve the interests of all citizens.

Secondly, the US political system is characterized by a high degree of polarization and partisanship. The political landscape is deeply divided along ideological lines, and politicians are often more concerned with scoring political points than with finding solutions to the problems facing the country. This has resulted in a gridlock in the legislative process, with lawmakers struggling to pass even basic legislation. 

This trend has been further exacerbated by the use of gerrymandering and voter suppression tactics, which are often employed by the ruling party to maintain its grip on power. When the political system is not working effectively, citizens lose faith in the democratic process and are less likely to participate in it.

The refusal of former President Trump to accept outcomes of the 2020 presidential elections and subsequent attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters cast a dark shadow over US model of democracy, seriously eroding US prestige at home and abroad. 

Thirdly, the US electoral system is plagued by problems that undermine its integrity and fairness. Voter suppression tactics, such as restrictive voter ID laws, have been used to disenfranchise minority voters, while gerrymandering has been used to skew the electoral map in favour of one party. The influence of money in politics has also grown to unprecedented levels, with wealthy donors and special interests exerting undue influence on the political process. 

The rise of fake news and disinformation on social media has further undermined the ability of citizens to make informed decisions about the candidates and issues they are voting on. When the electoral system is compromised, citizens lose faith in the legitimacy of the election results and are less likely to participate in the democratic process. US entities are now working overtime to export their brand of fake news to influence election outcomes in many countries, including in Africa.

Fourthly, the US government has been known to engage in anti-democratic practices both domestically and internationally. One of the most striking examples of this is the way the US government has responded to the threat of terrorism since the 9/11 attacks. The government has authorized the use of torture, secret prisons, and targeted killings without due process, all in the name of national security. These actions have eroded civil liberties and violated the rule of law, undermining the basic principles of democracy. When the US engages in anti-democratic practices, at home and abroad, it sends a message to other countries that democracy is not a priority.

The US is far from being a model of democracy worthy of emulation by African countries.

Washington’s obsession with democracy promotion in Africa is therefore not intended to help African countries muster good governance practices; rather it is intended to pursue US own interests abroad. African countries must be brave enough to chalk out their own sustainable paths to socioeconomic transformation.

The views expressed in this article do not represent this publication but the author.